Xbox questionnaire hints that its series will be fully console-exclusive, but has not yet announced changes to its distribution policy

Abstract:

Microsoft's Xbox team recently sent out a survey to some Xbox Insider users, asking how players would adjust their gaming habits if all Xbox self-developed game series (except "Call of Duty") were to be exclusive to Xbox consoles in the future. Windows Central stated that the survey screen was provided by users, and the media has verified its authenticity; this is a market survey, and it does not mean that Microsoft has decided to fully withdraw cross-platform distribution.

The series listed in the questionnaire include "Fallout", "The Elder Scrolls", "Doom" and "Metaphorical Fantasy" developer Hideo Kojima's new work "PHYSINT", "Diablo" and "Minecraft", etc. The survey asked players whether they would use the Xbox they already have, buy a new console, switch to PC, or give up playing under this assumption. The questionnaire clearly stated that, except for the special terms of "Minecraft", the settings do not affect the PC platform.

The idea of ​​"Minecraft" goes further: in the future, new works in the Xbox series will only be launched on Xbox consoles; existing works will stop being sold on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, and will no longer receive new content updates, but the games and content that players have purchased will not be removed. For other series, the questionnaire discussed new console exclusives in the future, and did not propose to remove works already owned by players.

The investigation excluded Call of Duty, but did not explain why. It is speculated that this may be related to Microsoft's cross-platform commitment to the series after acquiring Activision Blizzard; this is still media speculation and not the official reason given in the questionnaire. In recent years, Xbox has brought many of its own games to PlayStation and Nintendo platforms. Now this survey shows that Microsoft is evaluating the possible player reactions caused by the exclusive strategy. However, before the company officially announces the new policy, it cannot be concluded that future game release plans have changed.